Separation Anxiety Disorder
Article Sections
Introduction
Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from home or from an attachment figure (eg, parent, significant other). Separation anxiety is developmentally normal in early childhood. However, if persistent and severe, it may significantly impair daily functioning and development in later childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.
Epidemiology
Separation anxiety disorder is one of the most frequently diagnosed anxiety disorders in childhood, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 4%. If left untreated, approximately one-third of children with separation anxiety disorder may have persistent separation anxiety into adulthood.
Etiology and risk factors
During infancy, children are naturally dependent on the caregiver to obtain their needs. Therefore, anxiety when separated from their caregiver is considered normal and adaptive until age 3. Beyond this age, separation anxiety can
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